Fixing apparatus and measuring method for optical fiber hole insert

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for fixing an optical fiber hole insert in coordinate measurement, is provided. The apparatus includes a main body and a cover plate. The main body includes a front side surface, a back side surface and a support surface, a plurality of first grooves formed in the support surface and exposed at the front side surface, a plurality of second grooves formed in the support surface and exposed at the back side surface, and a through hole defined in the support surface. The first grooves is aligned with the respective second grooves, the first and second grooves communicate with the through hole and are configured for cooperatively receiving the optical fiber hole insert. The cover plate is configured for covering the support surface and coming into contact with the optical fiber hole insert. A method for measuring the optical fiber hole insert using the apparatus is also provided.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for fixing an opticalfiber hole insert, and a method for measuring the optical fiber holeinsert.

2. Description of Related Art

Optical fiber connectors are widely used in optical fibercommunications. Precision of the optical fiber connector, especially theoptical fiber hole of the optical fiber connector is critical forreducing light loss of the optical fiber communication. The precision ofthe optical fiber hole is usually determined by an optical fiber holeinsert of a mold, which is used to form the optical fiber hole, as suchthe insert needs to be carefully measured, including the size and thecoarseness thereof.

Coordinate measurement instruments may include probe contact coordinatemeasurement instruments and optical non-contact coordinate measurementinstruments, which are capable of performing coordinate measurements(usually three-dimensional measurements) of objects. Fixing apparatuseswhich are key components of the coordinate measurement instruments, areused to fix the objects in position.

As shown in FIG. 6, a cylindrical shaped insert 30 for insert moldingthe optical fiber hole. Along the lengthwise direction of the insert 30are the distal end 31 and the optical fiber hole mold portion 32 in athree-step manner. Diameters of the insert 30 gradually decrease fromthe distal end 31 to the end of the optical fiber hole mold portion 32.A length of the distal end 31, length and diameter of each step of theoptical fiber hole mold portion 32 need to be measured. However, as theentire insert 30 is cylindrical shaped, it is difficult to position theinsert 30. In addition, it is difficult to find a reference surface onthe insert 30 for the coordinate measurements.

What is needed, therefore, are an apparatus for fixing an optical fiberhole insert in a coordinate measurement and a method for measuring theoptical fiber hole insert, which can overcome the above shortcomings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present apparatus and method can be betterunderstood with reference to the following drawings. The components inthe drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis insteadbeing placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the presentapparatus and method. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numeralsdesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 shows a machined insert to be used in a coordinate measurement inaccordance with an embodiment, the machined insert can be obtained bymachining a conventional optical fiber hole insert.

FIG. 2 shows an apparatus for optical fiber hole insert coordinatemeasurement in accordance with an embodiment, the apparatus fixing themachined insert therein.

FIG. 3 is a second view of the apparatus of FIG. 2, wherein a coverplate of the apparatus is open.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the V portion of the apparatus of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a third view of the apparatus of FIG. 2, wherein the apparatusstands up in a 90 degree-manner.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a conventional optical fiber hole insertfor insert molding an optical fiber hole of an optical fiber connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present apparatus and method will now be described indetail below and with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, an apparatus 100 for fixing an optical fiberhole insert in a coordinate measurement, is provided. The apparatus 100includes a main body 10 and a cover plate 20 pivotably mounted to themain body 10 by a pivot 21. A machined insert 35 is used in thecoordinate measurement, and the machined insert 35 can be obtained bymachining an insert 30 illustrated above.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the machined insert 35 also has a distal end33 and three-step shaped optical fiber hole mold portion 34. Thediameter of the machined insert 35 gradually decreases from the distalend 33 to the end of the optical fiber hole mold portion 34. A verticalsurface 331 interconnects the distal end 33 and the optical fiber holemold portion 34. The distal end 33 has a flat surface 332 formedthereon, the flat surface 332 is parallel with a central axis of themachined insert 35. The flat surface 332 can serve as a reference planein the coordinate measurement. As the distal end 33 mainly serves as asupport for the optical fiber hole mold portion 34, therefore, the flatsurface 332 would not influence the optical fiber hole molding.

Referring again to FIGS. 2 to 5, the main body 10 is substantiallyrectangular shaped, and includes a top surface 13, a bottom surface 18,a front side surface 11, and a back side surface 12. The front sidesurface 11 has two protrusions 111 formed thereon. Each of theprotrusions 111 is smoothly connected to a lateral side surface of themain body 10, and has a flat end surface 112. The entire apparatus 100can rely upon the flat end surfaces 112 to stand up (see FIG. 5).

The top surface 13 serves as a support surface. The top surface 13 hastwo pivot retaining members 17 formed thereon, for retaining the pivot21. The top surface 13 further includes a number of first grooves 141and corresponding second grooves 142 formed therein. Each of the firstand second grooves 141, 142 has a semi-circular shape. The first grooves141 are exposed at the front side surface 11, the second grooves 142 areexposed at the back side surface 12. A through hole 15 is formed in themain body 10 between the top surface 13 and the bottom surface 18. Thefirst and second grooves 141, 142 communicate with the through hole 15.The first groove 141 retains the distal end 33 of the machined insert35, and the second groove 142 retains the optical fiber hole moldportion 34 of the machined insert 35.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the first grooves 141 has apair of protrusions 16 formed on an end thereof adjacent to the throughhole 15, the protrusions 16 are arranged opposite to each other on thetwo sides of the first groove 141. Each of the protrusions 16 issubstantially L shaped, and includes a first portion 161 extending froma sidewall of the first groove 141, and a second portion 162 extendingfrom the first portion 161. The two second portions 162 extend towardeach other and have coplanar retaining surfaces 1621 facing toward thefirst grooves 141 for engaging with the machined insert 35.

In application, the machined insert 35 is placed in the groove 14, withthe vertical surface 331 of the machined insert 35 retained on theretaining surface 1621 of the protrusions 16, and the flat surface 332of the distal end 33 opposing the cover plate 20. As the first grooves141 and the second grooves 142 are semi-circular, diameters of thedistal end 33 and optical fiber hole mold portion 34 can be the same as,or a little greater or a little less than those of the first and secondgrooves 141 and 142 with the help of the closed cover palate 20. Theflat surface 332 allows a better contact with the cover plate 20, thusthe machined insert 35 is well positioned. A distance between the frontand back side surfaces 11, 12 is less than that of the machined insert35, thus a part of the distal end 33 and a part of the optical fiberhole molding portion 34 locate outside the cover plate 20.

Coordinate measurements of coarseness and size of the distal end 33 andthe optical fiber hole mold portion 34 can be carried out from the frontside, the back side and the through hole 15 of the main body 10. Probecontact coordinate measurement or optical non-contact coordinatemeasurement can be used in the coordinate measurements.

Because of the flat surface 332, an X, Y Z coordinate system can bedefined thereon, including the vertical surface 331 perpendicularthereto. In addition, in some situations, the cover plate 20 can betransparent to see the coordinate measurements.

A method for optical fiber hole insert coordinate measurement is alsoprovided, the method may include the steps as follows. First, providethe apparatus 100 illustrated above. Second, machine a distal end of anoptical fiber hole insert to be measured to form a flat surface 312 onthe distal end, the flat surface 312 is parallel with a central axis ofthe insert. Third, position the machined insert in the apparatus 100 andallow the cover plate 20 in contact with the flat surface 312 of themachined insert. Fourth, perform coarseness and size coordinatemeasurement for the machined insert.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are intended toillustrate rather than limit the disclosure. Variations may be made tothe embodiments and methods without departing from the spirit of thedisclosure. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the scope of thedisclosure.

1. An apparatus for fixing an optical fiber hole insert, the opticalfiber hole insert configured for forming a hole in an optical connectorfor receiving an optical fiber, the apparatus comprising: a main bodycomprising a front side surface, a back side surface and a supportsurface, a plurality of first grooves formed in the support surface andexposed at the front side surface, a plurality of second grooves formedin the support surface and exposed at the back side surface, and athrough hole defined in the support surface, the first grooves alignedwith the respective second grooves, the first and second groovescommunicating with the through hole and being configured forcooperatively receiving the optical fiber hole insert; and a cover plateconfigured for covering the support surface and coming into contact withthe optical fiber hole insert, thereby fixing the optical fiber holeinsert in the first and second grooves.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the main body comprises an inner side surface in the throughhole, the first grooves exposed at the inner side surface, a pluralityof pairs of protrusions extending from the inner side surface, each ofthe protrusions comprises a first portion extending from the inner sidewall and a second portion extending away from the first portion, the twosecond portions of each pair of the protrusions extending toward eachother and having coplanar retaining surfaces facing toward the firstgrooves for engaging with the optical fiber hole insert.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the grooves is in a semi-circularshape.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cover plate is pivotablymounted to the main body.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the coverplate is transparent.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein two spacedprotrusions are formed on the front side surface, each of theprotrusions comprising a flat end surface facing away from the frontside surface.
 7. An apparatus for fixing an optical fiber hole insert,the optical fiber insert comprising an optical fiber hole moldingportion and a distal end extending from the optical fiber hole moldingportion, the apparatus comprising: a main body comprising a front sidesurface, a back side surface and a support surface, a plurality of firstgrooves formed in the support surface and exposed at the front sidesurface, a plurality of second grooves formed in the support surface andexposed at the back side surface, and a through hole defined in thesupport surface, the first grooves aligned with the respective secondgrooves, the first and second grooves communicating with the throughhole, each of the first grooves configured for receiving the distal endof the optical fiber hole insert, each of the second grooves configuredfor receiving the optical fiber hole molding portion; and a cover plateconfigured for covering the support surface and coming into contact withthe optical fiber hole insert, thereby fixing the optical fiber holeinsert in the first and second grooves.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the main body comprises an inner side surface in the throughhole, the first grooves exposed at the inner side surface, a pluralityof pairs of protrusions extending from the inner side surface, each ofthe protrusions comprises a first portion extending from the inner sidewall and a second portion extending away from the first portion, the twosecond portions of each pair of the protrusions extending toward eachother and having coplanar retaining surfaces facing toward the firstgrooves for engaging with the distal end of the optical fiber holeinsert.
 9. A method of measuring an optical fiber hole insert, themethod comprising: providing an apparatus comprising a main bodycomprising a front side surface, a back side surface and a supportsurface, a plurality of first grooves formed in the support surface andexposed at the front side surface, a plurality of second grooves formedin the support surface and exposed at the back side surface, and athrough hole defined in the support surface, the first grooves alignedwith the respective second grooves, the first and second groovescommunicating with the through hole, a distance between the front andback side surfaces being less than a length of the optical fiber insert;and a cover plate configured for covering the support surface and cominginto contact with the optical fiber hole insert, thereby fixing theoptical fiber hole insert in the first and second grooves; placing theoptical fiber hole insert in one first groove and a corresponding secondgroove with both opposite ends of the optical fiber hole insert locatedoutside the main body; closing the cover plate on the main body to coverthe optical fiber hole insert; and measuring the optical fiber holeinsert.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the optical fiber hole insertcomprises a flat surface, the cover plate is brought into contact withthe flat surface of the optical fiber hole insert.
 11. The method ofclaim 10, wherein the optical fiber hole insert is measured based on acoordinate system defined on the flat surface.